The term bonsai brings up a mental picture of miniature Japanese trees that are cut and pruned to certain specifications. However, the term bonsai literally translated, means plant in a tray. These trees are much smaller than what one might normally expect they do not really have to be just a few inches tall. They can be grown in pots in the garden.
A lot of people believe that the training and maintenance of a Bonsai tree is a very cruel practice. This is because these people assume that the cultivators of Bonsai trees starve the trees and cut them so much that they become very unhealthy. The truth is completely opposite to this misconception. It is true that Bonsai trees are cut and pruned regularly and more extensively than other plants in order to keep them small the cultivators transfer the Bonsai trees regularly from one pot to another. Bonsai trees are also fed and watered with much greater frequency as compared to when they are growing in the wild.
While Japan is usually believed to be the originator of Bonsai trees, this information in wrong. There are records containing evidence that Bonsai trees were grown in China as long as two thousand years ago. Of course, the Bonsai in those days are not exactly the same Bonsai that we see today. They were slightly larger and were grown outdoors. The Japanese influenced this by taking this art form and simply helping it progress until it reached where it is today. This is the reason why Bonsai styles are very different between China and Japan. Chinese Bonsai do not follow too severe restrictions, the style is a lot more free, and the pruning of the tree is not so heavy. Japanese Bonsai on the other hand are heavily pruned and actually look like they were miniature versions of their wilder counterparts.
Home cultured Bonsai trees have the same life span as the ones that grow in the wild. It is not uncommon for them to live for centuries and to be passed on from one generation to the next. In fact, home grown Bonsai usually display better health because of the care and attention they receive.
Due to shortage of living space in cities it is not possible for everyone to dedicate enough space for a garden where they can grown a large number of plants and trees are totally out of the question for apartment dwellers. Even people having gardens big enough to grow trees probably do wish to wait for years until the tree is fully grown. Bonsai trees offer good alternatives to anyone like this. They need very little room and are good for people who do not have too much room to spare. If it is possible to recreate the conditions for their growth Bonsai trees can even be cultivated indoors.
Bonsai trees have become a popular hobby but it's a hobby that demands a lot of time, attention, and some amount of foresight as to how the trees will eventually turn out.
First, I want the reader to realise that bonsai is art. If we want to succeed with keeping bonsais we should have at least smack of finest art; Art aspect represents 80 percents of success. Only the rest 20 percents depend on knowledge and care. This might sound weird to a reader who hasn't had any experience with miniaturized trees yet, but it's true. Despite all books and success tips, you won't be able to cut any twig or even you won't know how to form a bonsai if there's no art in your heart. Moreover old trees offer a gardener only one chance to form it, generally speaking. Basically, any mistake, small or marginal, might mean deep-dyed damages and your tree won't be bonsai any more. Since the bonsai hobby isn't about trees only, probably the first thing where to start is a bonsai pot. The final design heavily depends on pot size, colour and depth. Yes, it's the pot what turns a small tree into bonsai. This is the first point where man requires art. Inappropriate pot will cause artificial look of your tree. So before you decide for any pot, go visit some professionals or search the web for pictures; These bonsais are full of harmony and man's heart beats faster, eyes don't allow the rest of human being to go away.
Generally, we divide bonsai trees into various groups based upon their characteristic and behavior. One of the most important aspects is placement, which divides these trees into outdoor and indoor ones. However, this division is useful for people living in temperate climate zones primarily. Outdoor bonsais are those which survive freezing colds and temperatures lower than zero degree of Celsius won't harm them. Basically such trees come from temperate and cold climate zones. Unlike outdoor trees, indoor bonsais demand higher temperatures and because of this reason they must be kept at homes. Such trees usually come from tropical or sub-tropical geographical zones. It's allowed to keep them outside during Summer periods. Since there are more aspects of division, we must mention the styles which are named upon how they look like and how many trees create the whole bonsai. Meanwhile we can divide them into leafy and conifers, small and large. Speaking generally, we could find another division as well.
Proper care, basic rules and maintenance are necessary for successful bonsai growth, and this is what you must learn. Another very important part of bonsai hobby is watering, fertilization, re-planting and which soil to use. In my experience there are not too many rules, but ignoring only one might lead to bonsai's death. Let's get back to watering. Since the pot shouldn't be too large, the soil isn't capable to store as much water as it is possible in the wild. So the first rule is daily watering. There are tools which can be used for measuring soil humidity, but there's no reason for buying expensive equipment if you're newbie only. The same goes to fertilization. Since there is not enough soil in the pot, it doesn't store too much minerals and elements. This is why fertilization should be done from once per week up to several times a year. All in all, bonsai care doesn't end here. Roots could be potentially big problem if you don't cut them on regular basis. On the other hand, re-planting should be done only once per 1-2 years.
As you may see, bonsai care can't be taken easily and it needs a lot of time until you get skilled at this area. Because keeping bonsais is favorite hobby of many people, there is no reason why you shouldn't try it. If you take care for your tree, it will look terrific, it will bloom probably and maybe you'll notice fruits on it. It's basically the same like with pets such as dogs, cats, fish; You need too feed them, you need to care for them, otherwise they won't be happy. Bonsais are the same. If you forget to water the tree, it might die. Of course we could speak about other aspects as well.
My goal was to show the bonsai hobby to beginners the most. Everyone should ask himself if there is enough time and will for another being in his house. If so, then you should consider buying a bonsai. If not, you shouldn't buy it at all.
Both Melvin Ng & Jan Hvizdak are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Melvin Ng has sinced written about articles on various topics from Mesothelioma Lawyer, Speed Reading and Bad Breath. For more info on bonsai trees, growing bonsai trees and bonsai gardening, please visit our website. . Melvin Ng's top article generates over 368000 views. to your Favourites.
Jan Hvizdak has sinced written about articles on various topics from Cars, Bonsai and Cars. Jan Hvizdak is owner of bonsais devoted site where you should read article on the and. Jan Hvizdak's top article generates over 22200 views. to your Favourites.